Marmaduke & Henrietta Robinson

Marmaduke

Marmaduke was born about 1717 but no records have been found of his birth. He married Henrietta Barton by licence (not banns) on 3 Oct 1739 in St Leonard’s Church, New Malton. He is named in the will of Margaret Barton née Usher, widow of William Barton, as her son-in-law in 1754.

In 1742 he was a Master Draper and over the years took on at least 3 apprentices: Richard Cass in 1742, Thomas Mennell in 1753 and John Marshall in 1769.

A report in the regional newspaper, the Leeds Intelligencer, on 12 Sep 1775 states that Peggy (a diminutive of Margaret), daughter of Marmaduke, merchant, married James Ness in Malton. This was the daughter Margaret who was also a beneficiary in the 1780 will of Marmaduke’s brother Thomas, who died a bachelor in 1779.

Marmaduke died on 28 Apr 1797 and was buried on 1 May at New Malton aged 79, hence the date of birth circa 1717. Probate was passed in October 1797 (vol. 141, f. 431) wherein was stated ‘formerly of New Malton but of Huttons Ambo’. Monies were to be divided between five sons — Thomas, Marmaduke, John, William Barton, James — and daughter Margaret Ness, after the payment of the debt owed to the testator by James Ness (son-in-law).

Henrietta

Henrietta was born in 1714 and baptised 10 Oct. Her father was William Barton and mother Margaret (née Usher). William and Margaret were married by licence at St Michael’s New Malton in May 1707. Henrietta was married (also by licence) to Marmaduke Robinson on 4 Oct 1739 at St Leonard’s, New Malton.

They had at least five sons — Thomas born ca 1743, Marmaduke, John, William Barton (born ca 1761) and James (see No. 11) — and a daughter Margaret who survived, as well as several daughters who died in infancy.

Henrietta died 24 Mar 1769 aged 55 and was buried on 27 March “wife of Mr Marmaduke Robinson, Mercer, in the quire of St Michaels”. The quire is the part of the chancel between the Sanctuary and the Nave.

Draper and Mercer are often used interchangeably but ‘Draper’ usually referred to a merchant of ‘everyday’ materials such as wool and cotton and ‘Mercer’ to a merchant selling more upmarket textiles like velvet and silk.